Current monitoring means

ABSTRACT

A current monitoring device is disclosed for determining when a known maximum magnitude of direct current has been exceeded. A switching element operatively responsive to a given magnetic flux density vector B1 to indicate that the maximum direct current has been exceeded, is adapted to be oriented at an angle Alpha 1 (including 0*) with respect to the magnetic flux density vector B2 resulting from the direct current being monitored. Magnetic shielding is arranged in proximity to the switching element, the degree of proximity determining the magnitude of the magnetic flux B2 which is diverted from the switching element. The joint selection of the angle Alpha 1 and the positioning and selection of the magnetic shielding enables a wide range of direct currents to be monitored.

United States Patent 1 Greenwood- H lMa'rch 13, 1973 [73] Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corporation,

Pittsburgh, Pa.

22 Filed: NOV.3, 1971 21 App1.No.:195,343

[52] U.S.Cl. ..335/204, 335/154 Primary ExaminerRoy N. Envall, Jr. Attorney-F. H. Henson et al.

[57] ABSTRACT A current monitoring device is disclosed for determining when a known maximum magnitude of direct current has been exceeded. A switching element operatively responsive to a given magnetic flux density vector B to indicate that the maximum direct current has been exceeded, is adapted to be oriented at an angle a, (including 0) with respect to the magnetic flux density vector B resulting from the direct current being monitored. Magnetic shielding is arranged in proximity to the switching element, the degree of proximity determining the magnitude of the magnetic flux B which is diverted from the switching element.

The joint selection of the angle 0: and the positioning and selection of the magnetic shielding enables a wide range of direct currents to be monitored.

6 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures 4 BREA KER PATENTEDHAR 1 3 I973 SHEET 2 OF 3 IS FIG.4A

200 ZOIP 22 N FIG.4B

FiG.5A

' FIG. 6A

l4 6 FIG. 6B

PATENIEDMAR 13 I973 ANGLE 0C OF REED SWITCH WITH RESPECT TO B m SHEET 30F 3 FIG. 7

REED SWITCH- PICK UPVgURRENT REED SWITCH POSITION \L I j l I I I 500 600 700 e00 900 I000 (AMPS) WITHOUT SHIELD I I I I I I 4x|0* 5x|0 6X10 I 7x1o sx|0* (AMPs) WITH SHIELD-FIG.6A

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to current monitoring means for determining when a known magnitude of direct current has been exceeded.

2. Description of the Prior Art A problem of considerable complexity arises in the SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to current monitoring means for determining when a known maximum magnitude of direct current in a conductor has been exceeded. Switching means, operatively responsive to a finite magnetic flux density B to indicate that the maximum direct current has been exceeded, are adapted to be oriented at an angle 01, including with respect to the magnetic flux density B resulting from the direct current. The magnetic flux density acting on the switching means is a function of the cosine of 0:.

Magnetic shielding means of predetermined geometry are positioned in spaced relationship to the switching means, the degree of proximity of the magnetic shielding means to the switching means determining the portion of the magnetic fiux density B; which is diverted from the switching means. The joint selection of the angle a and the magnetic shielding means insures that the switching means will operatively respond when the known maximum direct current is exceeded.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the current monitoring means in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the current monitoring means taken along line IIlI of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is a normally open reed switch;

FIG. 3B is a polarized schematic of the reed switch of FIG. 3A used in explaining its operation;

FIG. 4A is a normally closed reed switch;

FIG. 4B is a polarized schematic of the reed switch of FIG. 4A used in explaining its operation;

FIGS. 5A, 5B are sectional views showing the magnetic shielding means in the L-configurations;

FIGS. 6A, 6B are sectional views showing the magnetic shielding means in the channel configurations; and

FIG. 7 is a diagram depicting the pick up current for various reed switch positions defined by the angle a; and

FIG. 8 is a view of an infinitely long conductor, defining the Cartesian coordinates x,y,z used in the mathematical analysis ofthe invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Before beginning a description of the invention, it will be helpful to review the mathematical analysis upon which the invention is based, as well as certain background descriptions.

The invention utilizes a simple reed switch with magnetic shielding. The basic reed switch comprises solid metallic contact members sealed in a glass envelope. The contact members are of magnetic materials, the actual points of contact switching being appropriately plated with various precious metals such as gold, rhodium, silver, etc. The contact members are carefully positioned inside the glass envelope which is fused to these magnetic members to maintain specific contact spacings. The entire glass capsule is filled with an atmosphere for the appropriate contact switching condi tions. This may, for example, be dry nitrogen for the more common switches or a high vacuum for high volt age switches.

Manufactures rate reed switches in ampere turns. The rating is determined empirically by using a solenoid to encircle the reed switch for testing. If the length of the solenoid L is large with respect to its radius, the flux density at the center becomes:

B =(41r lO* X)/(5.3 10*) 2 Where Breed magnetic flux density at the center of reed.

B 1.78 X 10 (3) This is the minimum field for pick up or actuation of the reed switch.

The following calculations are for the magnetic flux density B for an arbitrary current I at a point y above the center of an infinitely long thin conducting strip.

Referring now to FIG. 8, there is shown a thin conducting strip of width d, infinitely long and carrying a current I, amperes per meter.

The field is seen to have components B, and B The only magnetic flux density of interest is that in the iX direction (8,) because this flux goes through the reed switch from end to end and this is the only flux which will pick up or actuate the reed switch. From Biot- Savarts Law, the B, field is given by Assume that y inch above the center of a 6 inch ribbon conductor. Therefore, y /8 inch 2.22 X 10 meters; 6 inch 15.24 X 10' meter By definition I ,-=I/(6 2.54- 10- 1 (15.25 16 meters 11/2 6/2= 3" 7.62 X meters (6) Substituting the relationship of equation (5) and observing y is a constant, equation (4) may be rewritten:

poly da:

The integral when evaluated is equal to Combining the relationships of equation (7) and (8) "MOI x I H i; (l/LZ B, [tan 1 y] (9) 0 I 2 tan" QLZ 2 X 15.25 10 y l (10) 2 go I tan i BI 1TX15.25 x 10- l .875 (11) If B =B the reed switch will pick up. Therefore equating equations (3) and (13):

1.78 X 10- I- W 528 amps This result can be verified experimentally.

The significance of negative sign for B in equation (13) may be appreciated from a study of FIG. 8. In the three dimensional Cartesian coordinate sy s t e m shown, a current in the +1 direction, by the right hand rule producesan encigling magnetic field as shown. As may be observed in the plane -16, the flux vector B, points in the -x direction.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, in accordance with the invention there is disclosed a current monitoring means indicated generally at 10, comprising a reed switch indicated generally at 12 and a magnetic shield means indicated generally at 14. The current monitoring means 10 is mounted on a bus bar conductor 16 carrying a direct current I which is to be monitored.

The reed switch 12 is of the normally open type as shown in the enlarged sectional view in FIG. 3A; however, it could also be of the normally closed type indicated generally at 18 and disclosed in the enlarged sectional view of HG. 4A.

The normally closed switch 18 includes dual magnetic biasing magnets 20a and 20b arranged in attractive position as shown, and including a keeper of magnetic material 22.

The reed switch 12 is mounted on the magnetic shield means 14 by means of stand-off members 24, 26 which are of insulating material.

A mounting block of insulating material 28, having conductive screws 30, 32 is mounted on the magnetic shield 14 in any convenient manner. Leads 34, 36

connect the ends of the reed elements to the screws 30, 32. A circuit breaker or alarm circuit indicated symbolically at 38, is connected to screws 30, 32 by means of leads 40, 42 respectively.

The magnetic shield member 14 may take various forms. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the magnetic shield member is an L-shaped member as illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B. Note that in FIG. 5A, the shield member 14 is closer to the reed member 12 than in the FIG. 5B configuration.

Similarly, the magnetic shield member 14 may be a channel member as illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 63. Again it should be noted that the sides of the channel m a lo e tqthergzdswitsh lliathsFl 6A configuration than in the FIG. 6B embodiment.

OPERATION A reed switch 12 of the normally open type such as illustrated in FIG. 3A, assumes the polarity indicated in FIG. 3B. As the current increases (and hence the ambient magnetic flux), the north pole at the tip of one of the reed members and the south pole at the tip of the other reed member will attract or pick up.

When the reed switch is of .the normally closed type 18 shown in FIG. 4A, the biasing magnets establishes the magnetic polarity of the reed members as illustrated in FIG. 4A. The ambient magnetic field opposes the biasing magnetic field so established and the contacts will open under proper field conditions as a result of the spring tension of the movable contact (FIG. 4B).

The reason that two biasing magnets 20a and 20b are utilized arises from the fact that a continuous line current will either oppose or aid the internal magnetic field of a biasing magnet, thereby changing the calibration of the switch. With bar magnets arranged as at 20a and 201) the flux produced by the conductor is perpendicular to the internal flux and will not therefore affect the magnetic biasing strength.

Referring now to FIG. 1, when the reed switch 12, without the shield member 14, is normal or perpendicular to the direction of current ie the center line marked 0, then 530 amps of current will cause, t em d .m lz lsls P PKPP aiw s yil cTcEe if of the type in FIG. 3Aoropefi if of the type shown in FIG. 4A. As the reed member 12 is rotated through the angles indicated in FIG. 1, the reed members will pick up at higher current magnitudes as depicted in FIG. 7. The flux through the reed switch 12 is a function of the cosine of the angle a (FIG. 7). A high degree of precision may be maintained in the w! Q27 When the magnetic shields means of FIGS. 5A, 58, 6A and 6B are utilized, these magnetic shields divert some of the flux away from the reed switch 12. For example, the reed switch alone without shielding picks up when a at 1,000 amps. With the shield member shown in FIG. 6A, and at a= 70, the reed switch picks up at 8,000 amps. The closer the shielding is to the reed switch 12, the larger the field (and hence the current) required to pick up.

Thus through judicious selection of shielding and proper angular rotation a a current monitoring means can be obtained which is responsive to a wide range of current magnitudes.

With either the closing or the opening of the reed members 12 or 18 respectively, a circuit breaker or alarm 38 will indicate that excessive current is flowing through the conductor, 10, enabling corrective action to be-undertaken.

I claim:

1. Current monitoring means for determining when a known maximum magnitude of direct current in a conductor has been exceeded, comprising:

a. switching means operatively responsive to a finite magnetic flux density B1 to indicate that said maximum of direct current has been exceeded, and adapted to be oriented at an angle at including 0 with respect to the magnetic flux density B2 resulting from said direct current, the magnitude of the flux acting on said switching means being afunction of cosine a; and

b. magnetic shielding means of predetermined geometry, positioned in spaced relationship to said switching means, the degree of proximity of said magnetic shielding means determining the portion of magnetic flux density B2 which is diverted from said switching means, whereby the joint selection of angle a and the magnetic shielding means insures that the switching means will operatively respond when said known maximum direct current is exceeded.

2. Current moniton'ng means according to claim 1 wherein said angle a is in the range 070.

3. Current monitoring means according to claim 1 wherein said switching means is a reed switch having cooperating closure members of magnetic material.

4. Current monitoring means according to claim 1 wherein said magnetic shielding means is of L- shaped cross sectional area having its longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of said switching means. j

5. Current monitoring means according to claim 1 wherein said magnetic shielding means is'of channel shaped cross sectional area having its longitudinal axis parallel to the long axis of said switching means. 6. Current monitoring means for detecting when a known maximum magnitude of direct current in a bar conductor has been exceeded comprising:

a. reed switching means operatively responsive to a magnetic flux density vector B. to indicate that said known maximum magnitude of direct current has been exceeded, adapted to be displaced at an angle 01, including 0, with respect to the magnetic flux density vector B2 resulting from the direct current being monitored, the mag nitude of the flux density vector linking'with said reed switching means being a function of the cosine of a; and

b. magnetic shielding means positioned in proximity to and parallel to the longitudinal axis of said reed switching means for diverting part of the magnetic flux density B2 from said reed switching means, whereby the joint selection of the angle a and the magnetic shielding means insures that the reed switching means will operatively respond when said known maximum direct current is exceeded. 

1. Current monitoring means for determining when a known maximum magnitude of direct current in a conductor has been exceeded, comprising: a. switching means operatively responsive to a finite magnetic flux density B1 to indicate that said maximum of direct current has been exceeded, and adapted to be oriented at an angle Alpha including 0* with respect to the magnetic flux density B2 resulting from said direct current, the magnitude of the flux acting on said switching means being a function of cosine Alpha ; and b. magnetic shielding means of predetermined geometry, positioned in spaced relationship to said switching means, the degree of proximity of said magnetic shielding means determining the portion of magnetic flux density B2 which is diverted from said switching means, whereby the joint selection of angle Alpha and the magnetic shielding means insures that the switching means will operatively respond when said known maximum direct current is exceeded.
 1. Current monitoring means for determining when a known maximum magnitude of direct current in a conductor has been exceeded, comprising: a. switching means operatively responsive to a finite magnetic flux density B1 to indicate that said maximum of direct current has been exceeded, and adapted to be oriented at an angle Alpha including 0* with respect to the magnetic flux density B2 resulting from said direct current, the magnitude of the flux acting on said switching means being a function of cosine Alpha ; and b. magnetic shielding means of predetermined geometry, positioned in spaced relationship to said switching means, the degree of proximity of said magnetic shielding means determining the portion of magnetic flux density B2 which is diverted from said switching means, whereby the joint selection of angle Alpha and the magnetic shielding means insures that the switching means will operatively respond when said known maximum direct current is exceeded.
 2. Current monitoring means according to claim 1 wherein said angle Alpha is in the range 0*-70*.
 3. Current monitoring means according to claim 1 wherein said switching means is a reed switch having cooperating closure members of magnetic material.
 4. Current monitoring means according to claim 1 wherein said magnetic shielding means is of L-shaped cross sectional area having its longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of said switching means.
 5. Current monitoring means according to claim 1 wherein said magnetic shielding means is of channel shaped cross sectional area having its longitudinal axis parallel to the long axis of said switching means. 